AOC Reduces Workforce

SAN FRANCISCO—Because of cuts to its budget and changes to its operations, the California Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) has reduced its total workforce by 277 employees over the last year.

“It has been disheartening to see so many dedicated public servants leave the AOC because of our downsizing,” said the AOC’s Interim Administrative Director Jody Patel.

“But due to the cuts to our fiscal year 2012–2013 budget and the desire to streamline our organization, downsizing and reorganizing will have to continue.”

As of July 18, the AOC had a workforce of 844, which included 719 regular employees and 125 temporary employees and contractors. The workforce reduction in the past 12 months occurred through layoffs, voluntary separations, and retirements.

For the fiscal year that began July 1, the judicial branch was hit with another $544 million budget cut. The AOC’s total cuts since 2008–2009 have amounted to $30.8 million. “We are in our fourth year of mandatory furloughs,” Patel said. “As downsizing continues, we will also take direction from the Judicial Council as it implements changes stemming from recommendations of the Strategic Evaluation Committee.”